As an agency of the Federal Government, FCA is committed to fulfilling its mission faithfully and ensuring that its employees conduct themselves with integrity. And as the arm’s-length regulator of the Farm Credit System, FCA is committed to carrying out its work without any undue influence, favoritism, or special access.

Ethics ProgramIn 1989, President George H.W. Bush issued Executive Order 12674, which set forth 14 principles of ethical conduct and established the Office of Government Ethics. The Executive order created a framework to establish uniform ethics programs throughout the Executive branch. As a result of this order, FCA appointed its first Designated Agency Ethics Official in 1992 and established the FCA Ethics Program that we have today.

As head of FCA, the Chair of the Board oversees the FCA Ethics Program, which is administered by the following staff positions:

Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO)

Alternate DAEO

Deputy Ethics Official

As part of the ethics program, the ethics staff has a number of responsibilities:

Arm’s-Length RoleFCA is committed to maintaining an arm’s-length relationship with the Farm Credit System. This means that Agency decisions must be independent of any undue influence, favoritism, or special access so that all parties coming before the Agency stand on an equal footing. FCA Board Members and employees with decision-making authority affecting System institutions must be especially mindful to conduct themselves in a fair and impartial manner, avoiding any actions that create an appearance of partiality.

Although an effective regulator must have open, informative communication with regulated institutions, the FCA Board and staff strive to maintain an appropriate balance in their communication with the System. Before engaging with System entities, they consider the content, timing, and setting of their communication with the System. Whenever in doubt about the propriety of communication with System institutions, FCA Board and staff consult with the ethics staff.